A function is given y = -1.5x-2. The graph of this function crosses the abscissa axis at
A function is given y = -1.5x-2. The graph of this function crosses the abscissa axis at point (a; 0) and the ordinate axis at point (0; b). Find a + b
If the graph of the function intersects the abscissa axis (that is, the x-axis), then the value of the y coordinate at this point is zero, we substitute y = 0 into the function equation and calculate the value of x.
y = -1.5x – 2; 0 = -1.5x – 2; 1.5x = -2; x = -2 / 1.5 = -20/15 = -4/3 = -1 1/3.
At the point (a; 0), the x coordinate is a, which means that a = -1 1/3.
When the graph crosses the y-axis (that is, the y-axis), the x-coordinate at that point is zero.
y = -1.5x – 2; y = -1.5 * 0 – 2 = -2.
At the point (0; b), the y coordinate is b, which means that b = -2.
Let’s calculate the value a + b = -1 1/3 – 2 = -3 1/3.